Letter from the Editor

Dear Reader,

When envisioning how hosting my first Writers' Meeting for the Scroll will go, I never would have imagined outgoing Editor-in-Chief Anna Guerrini to come in five minutes late, wearing a full face of emo make-up. Yet Anna, merely coming to support the new board, decided nothing would drown out our anxiety more than black lipstick.

However, whenever I think about this day, it was not her black t-shirt I remember, nor was it her face full of makeup. It was the conversation that I had with her that day, long after the last writer had left. Pulling me aside in the Yearbook Room, she hitted me with her final message as the Editor-in-Chief:

"Good luck John, I know you'll do the Scroll proud."

While I am grateful for her words of encouragement (if slightly less grateful for her fashion choices), I know I cannot "do the Scroll proud" alone. I will need help from you: the reader, and the broader Deerfield community. On our website, the Scroll is described as

"the official student newspaper of Deerfield Academy." Every issue that we publish features articles that are drafted, edited, and distributed by your Deerfield peers. Yet, I often see our papers being used as scrap paper, gracing the common room trash can, and even defaced by students for pleasure.

Though these acts may seem trivial at times, they speak a broader problem we face: our readership.

I'll admit that part of our low readership is our fault. Occasionally, our published issues would feature errors in print that undermine our authority as journalists. To this end, I'll work to ensure that the entire Scroll team will be extra diligent and careful when doing layout.

While I can't guarantee no more errors, I'll certainly make an effort so that there'll be less.

I'll also acknowledge we don't hold publicity events on campus enough. To address this, I'm proud to announce that Karen Park, the Digital Managing Editor, and her Digital Board have already refined our website (deerfieldscroll.net) and will be more active on our Instagram (deerfieldscroll). These changes reflect that the Scroll is adapting to today's changing climate marked by a digitalized world, and we hope that our efforts will boost your interest and engagement with the Scroll.

While I can promise that both the Editorial and Digital Boards will do everything in our power to redefine the role the Scroll plays on campus, I cannot directly change your attitude. This is why I will call on you, the reader, to help us.

Most readers do not understand the amount of passion, dedication, and effort that go into each issue. After three years in the Scroll, I'm not joking when I say that the time I spent thinking and working on every issue outstrips even the time I spent on my school work. And I am not alone. Ask anyone actively involved in the Scroll and I am confident that they'll agree with me. Yet sadly, too often I am greeted with the familiar sight of our issues strewn across the common room, lying on the floor, and piled in trash cans. Many readers in our community disrespect our work, while never even giving the Scroll a chance.

I see you guys show up for your friends at dance showcases and art galleries. I know the power of the Deerfield community. Please show up for us.

By supporting the Scroll, you are supporting the work and time of your peers. You are creating an environment more conducive to free speech, granting your peers a voice.

Stories from students are worth telling, even if they may be controversial. Please listen with an open mind to our writers and editors. Try to trust that everything we publish, we do so to benefit the Deerfield community in some way. If you feel offended or if you notice an error, do not hesitate to reach out and write to us. We strive to publish a diverse array of views, especially the views of those who aren't among our regular writers.

With the help from you, I'll guarantee that The Deerfield Scroll will head toward a brighter future.

To the 99 Editors-in-Chief before me, I'll promise that I'll be worthy of my heritage.

Yours in service,

John Qi Liu